posted 12-05-2013 05:13 PM
Special announcement: Space Lectures' (Ken Willoughby's) next venture is going to be something very special.

For contractual reasons we cannot at this stage name the guest. Safe to say he is a veteran of one Apollo "J" mission to the moon. To my knowledge he has never done such an event in the UK previously.

The format and venues will be the same as for the previous event with Alan Bean; public lecture (tickets £60 each) and dinner (£70 a pop). Tickets prices are inclusive of one autograph - lecture and dinner equates to 2 signatures.

Scheduled for April 11 and 12, 2014.

Our special guests schedule does not afford him the time to speak to Wakefield Girls High School; they in part funded the Alan Bean event. Consequently the ticket prices I'm afraid are slightly higher, but the value of the autograph alone more than compensates for the higher ticket price... believe me.

Ken is asking for folk to send payments quickly in order to secure the guest for April 2014. This requires something of a "leap of faith"; but rest assured, just as soon as sufficient funds are raised to cover the required deposit all will be revealed.

Trust me ladies and gentlemen, you will NOT be disappointed. And in the event the lecture does not go ahead, all monies will be refunded and returned.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-05-2013 05:19 PM
Seats for the public lecture are numbered and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. The sooner payment is sent to Ken, the nearer the front you will be seated.

Once again professionally taken posed pictures will be an option and I am sure Nick and Bryar Deakin will be on hand with a selection of quality, specific merchandise.

Dinner is limited to 125 guests and it is worth noting BOTH the dinner and the lecture for Ken's previous event were a sell out.

The Space Lectures website will updated just as soon as Ken's resident computer boffin returns to the UK to make the necessary alterations.

posted 12-06-2013 01:47 PM
I spoke with Ken last evening and he will not cash cheques until he has enough for the deposit. He intimated mid to late January, possibly even February before he cashes them.

One Big MonkeyMember

Posts: 39From: West Yorkshire, UKRegistered: Jul 2012

posted 12-06-2013 01:49 PM
In that case I'm in! Christmas is stretching finances a little, but things should be fine by then

AstroAutosMember

Posts: 788From: Co. Monaghan, IrelandRegistered: Mar 2009

posted 12-06-2013 05:05 PM
Have worked it out, and all I can say is how in the name of sweet divine did Ken manage this?

Safe to say I'm very much in and will be flying over from Ireland for the public lecture.

This is a guest very much worth every penny, never thought I'd get to meet him in person.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-06-2013 05:06 PM
You will be pleased to know Ken has agreed to offer a combo ticket for £120; the dinner, the lecture and one signature at each or two in total.

Professional photographers will be taking posed portraits at both the dinner and lecture too.

One caveat regarding the photos. If you decide to have your picture taken with the guest, and you would like the guest to sign that picture, might I suggest you sign up to the meal asap.

We were lucky with Alan Bean in that his talk overran by half an hour. As a consequence the photographers were granted enough time to get the finished prints out just as the post lecture signing began. It may have appeared like impeccable timing but in reality we struck lucky.

In this instance I cannot guarantee the same "impeccable timing" so it would be an idea to bring an alternate item for signing... just in case the posed photos do not make it out in time.

Rest assured however you will get your finished photos on the night. At the Alan Bean event the guys stayed on until the end to ensure that everybody got their photograph. I am sure they will do the same this time around too.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-06-2013 05:21 PM
Sorry guys; me again. One other thought that has come to mind.

Ken is very conscious of not bombarding guests with autographs. These guys are not getting any younger and it is evident the prospect of 500 people all sticking two items under their noses for signing is at best daunting and tiring and at worst... taking the mickey.

Word gets around these guys and the prospect of such an assault serves only as a disincentive that dissuades some from attending future events.

With that in mind, it will be one free autograph at the dinner and one at the lecture. This will be "policed" to ensure nobody takes advantage.

With the same intention Ken will not be accepting postal requests; something tells me this guy will attract a lot of postal interest.

If you want a signature you will have to attend one or other of the venues. Sorry.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-06-2013 05:37 PM
Payment options. Cheques for combo tickets for the dinner plus the lecture should be made out to Ken Willoughby. Cheques for the talk alone to "Space Lectures".

Please be sure to include a self addressed envelope.

Bank Transfer payment (HSBC A/C # 31402501, Sort Code # 40-37-04) is also an option. Please e-mail Ken at ken.willoughby@btinternet.com for full details. And again, please supply a sae or collect on the door.

If payments are made by bank transfer could you please let Ken know when the payments have been made, the name and address of those making the payment and the names of all those attending. Thank you.

james wattMember

Posts: 47From: englandRegistered: Sep 2011

posted 12-06-2013 05:55 PM
Personally, I don't care who it is but it seems to me to be someone special and my cheque is winging it's way to Pontefract. These events are out of this world and I cant wait for April.

james wattMember

Posts: 47From: englandRegistered: Sep 2011

posted 12-06-2013 07:34 PM
I have mentioned this to my friends who are far more interested in fishing than space but are intrigued by the fact this astronaut has not been here before and so are willing to grasp this opportunity to meet someone who has been to the moon.

GurbirMember

Posts: 39From: UKRegistered: Oct 2010

posted 12-07-2013 06:25 AM
Great news and excellent support from everyone here.

I don't know who it will be. I know it can't be Neil Armstrong. Soon a time will come when it can't be any of them.

All I have to do is send a cheque! In the post this weekend.

topmilerMember

Posts: 115From: eastleigh, hampshire, UKRegistered: Jul 2012

posted 12-07-2013 06:45 AM
It's going to be crucial that everyone doesn't wait before sending cheques in though. As they're not cashed till the guest is confirmed you can't lose.

We don't want to miss out on this historical occasion.

moorougeMember

Posts: 1759From: U.K.Registered: Jul 2009

posted 12-07-2013 08:29 AM
So - we're all rushing to book tickets to meet and listen to HIM (Highly Important Moonanaut).

Reading the previous posts, the real question is will Geoffrey be chaparoning Shane, or will Shane be acting as Geoffrey's carer?

BlackarrowMember

Posts: 2190From: Belfast, United KingdomRegistered: Feb 2002

posted 12-07-2013 04:23 PM
Mind your manners, old-timer!

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-08-2013 03:46 AM
It is early days in this venture but British members will be familiar with comedian Al Murray, aka "The Pub Landlord" who has already tweeted about the forthcoming event.

I wonder if we could persuade him to be the warm up man on the night?!?

BuelMember

Posts: 212From: UKRegistered: Mar 2012

posted 12-08-2013 05:09 AM
Just been alerted to this by a good friend. I'm in! Cheque is on it's way to Ken!!

OWLMember

Posts: 98From: United KingdomRegistered: Aug 2007

posted 12-08-2013 12:05 PM
Mrs OWL, who looks after the twitter for Space lectures, has been unbelievably busy. This has been the busiest we have ever been at this early stage and we have not announced the guest name yet to the wider community.

This event will prove to be a real show stopper so make sure you book early to avoid disappointment.

posted 12-08-2013 01:33 PM
My cheque is in the post for at least two seats for my interest in this lecture.

moorougeMember

Posts: 1759From: U.K.Registered: Jul 2009

posted 12-09-2013 05:59 AM
I can understand the coyness about revealing a name if it really is 'him', but not if it's only 'him', unless it's to avoid a repetition of when 'him' was due to come to Pontefract.

TykeanautMember

Posts: 1831From: Worcestershire, England, UK.Registered: Apr 2008

posted 12-09-2013 10:17 AM
Eddie?

I'm pretty sure we all know who "him" is, and and as far as I'm aware he hasn't been booked in to appear at one of these events in Pontefract before?

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-09-2013 02:29 PM
Ken is getting a number of phone calls from withheld numbers; they neither speak nor leave a message on his answerphone.

If you are making those calls please do one or the other. Ken will pick up or return the call is a number is left.

Nuisance sales calls mean he does not pick up withheld callers unless they talk to him.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-09-2013 02:31 PM

quote:Originally posted by Tykeanaut:...as I'm aware he hasn't been booked in to appear at one of these events in Pontefract before?

That is correct. To the best of my knowledge he has never been booked to appear at ANY such UK event previously.

KiteMember

Posts: 306From: Northampton UKRegistered: Nov 2009

posted 12-09-2013 05:05 PM
I am 100% sure I know who 'HIM' is and I think Ken is to be congratulated in securing this particular astronaut who seems to be reclusive to these events.

I will certainly want to go as I missed the Alan Bean talk as my friends invited me to go to Cracow in Poland that weekend, and as they have often supported me in going to Pontefract previously, I felt I ought to go with them as since they were all twenty odd years younger than me I felt privileged that they should ask me. We had a thought provoking time there as we visited Auschwitz and Oskar Schindler's factory museum. On the lighter side we also fitted in the Polish Aviation museum, which was marvelous, and a very impressive salt mine. We enjoyed Cracow very much but I must admit I wished our visit hadn't coincided with Ken's event but I had to make a choice.

This time hopefully nothing will stop me going back to Pontefract. Well done Ken!

Madon_spaceMember

Posts: 583From: ukRegistered: Sep 2002

posted 12-10-2013 05:31 AM
It sounds really exciting and tempting but I must be the only one on here that has no idea who it could be which makes me feel quite stupid really.

moorougeMember

Posts: 1759From: U.K.Registered: Jul 2009

posted 12-10-2013 09:14 AM
That's because it's secret...!

On edit - haven't we been through all this before with an event to be organised for August 2013 by Nigel Mc?

I'm sure that Ken will have much more success though.

topmilerMember

Posts: 115From: eastleigh, hampshire, UKRegistered: Jul 2012

posted 12-10-2013 11:20 AM
Only as long as the cheques keep coming in.

My cheques are sent, hotel booked. Fingers crossed.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-10-2013 12:42 PM

quote:Originally posted by moorouge:On edit - haven't we been through all this before with an event to be organised for August 2013 by Nigel Mc?

With all due respect to Nigel Mc... I don't think he as the track record for bringing astronauts to the UK that Ken Willoughby has.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-10-2013 03:29 PM
Update from Ken as follows...

Can't mention him yet but can say we are on the launchpad and just finalising details!

ApolloAlexMember

Posts: 383From: Bromsgrove, EnglandRegistered: Oct 2004

posted 12-10-2013 03:46 PM
Excellent!

robert_lMember

Posts: 132From: Dundee,ScotlandRegistered: Jul 2008

posted 12-11-2013 12:15 PM
Excellent news. Have put in for holidays, once confirmed, cheque will be in the post.

Thanks again Ken!

moorougeMember

Posts: 1759From: U.K.Registered: Jul 2009

posted 12-11-2013 02:17 PM
Eagerly anticipating and waiting for Santa Ken to deliver his Christmas present. Now have to decide whether to leave him a glass of sherry, a mince pie or a carrot - always assuming that he doesn't get stuck in the chimney.

Rick MulheirnMember

Posts: 2668From: EnglandRegistered: Feb 2001

posted 12-12-2013 03:41 AM
Less than a week since announcing our mystery guest and already 75 tickets sold for the lecture and 25 for the dinner. Tickets are selling like your proverbial hot cakes.